Chapter Six: Technology That Does Not Belong Here

More blueprints again? Fang Tang’s heart skipped a beat, and he hurriedly typed out a message.

“What kind of blueprint is it? What does it do?”

Before long, Xie Ling sent over a link.

On the blueprint was a drawing, something resembling the mechanical arms on Doctor Octopus’s back: four claws, with the end connected by a spine-like structure.

Since the blueprint hadn’t been added to the archive, Fang Tang had no idea what it was.

This is incredible, truly incredible! Who’d have thought that this soft-spoken young lady who whimpers and whines is actually blessed with such luck? As your all-knowing and almighty Eye, I must remind you: do your best to befriend her. With her around, you’ll save yourself a lot of trouble. If only she also had a head full of wavy hair—just three little wishes!

Fang Tang: “Do you know what this thing is?”

The Eye: The Buddha says: to speak is forbidden, to speak is forbidden!

“…?”

Fang Tang pondered.

Clearly, the Eye knew a great deal.

Yet it refused to reveal anything at all.

Just like with elemental stones—whenever the conversation touched on something important, it turned cryptic and enigmatic.

Fang Tang was starting to hate riddles.

Well… in truth, he never liked them.

Still, he knew one thing: the Eye was trustworthy.

After a moment’s silence, Fang Tang typed:

“I’m very interested in this blueprint. What do you want in exchange?”

Perhaps he’d taken too long to reply; Xie Ling’s tone was laced with uncertainty.

“…Um, Big Fang, could I trade the blueprint for just a little water? Just a little will do…”

Reading her message, Fang Tang couldn’t help but picture Xie Ling: a cute, petite girl, pressing her index fingers together shyly before her chest, head lowered, eyes glancing up with a pitiful expression.

“Heh!”

Fang Tang shook his head, amused.

He put two bottles of mineral water and a bag of bread up for trade, specifying her as the recipient, and sent her the link.

The Eye had all but spelled it out for him.

If he didn’t act accordingly, he’d regret it in the future.

Xie Ling: “Ah! Big Fang, you’re giving me too much. I… I don’t need this much for now.”

Fang Tang: “You thought of trading with me first—that’s a sign of trust. In a place like this, it’s not easy to find a trustworthy partner.”

Xie Ling: “…Alright then! I’ll accept, but if I find anything good in the future, I’ll come to you first.”

Fang Tang: “I’ll be waiting for good news!”

Fang Tang retrieved the blueprint from the trading area, archived it, and then his eyes widened in shock.

Mechanical Claw Arm: Memory Metal x50, Mithril Heart x20, Intelligent Motherboard x1, Lightning Stone x5, Fire Spirit Stone x1, Gale Stone x1, Bluewater Stone x1.

“What on earth are these?”

Fang Tang blinked hopefully, waiting for the Eye to answer.

Wow, wow, wow, my poor servant! Getting a blueprint for advanced equipment so early—equipment that doesn’t even belong in this stage—must be a lot of pressure, eh? Hahaha… Still, your esteemed Eye should remind you: memory metal, mithril heart, intelligent motherboard—all of these have blueprints. The person who can acquire these blueprints is, in all likelihood, Ling’er. When it comes to luck, even the unlucky feel exasperated!

“Ling’er?”

Fang Tang was bewildered.

The Eye, usually so proud, so shamelessly siding with someone else just because she was lucky?

He couldn’t help but wish he could do the same…

Fang Tang glanced at the synthesis tree for the mechanical claw arm, a headache forming.

At least now he had a new goal: to make the mechanical claw arm.

So many materials—its power must be formidable.

Just think of Doctor Octopus, one of Spider-Man’s great foes.

But compared to the claw arm, the materials for synthesizing a pistol were laughably easy.

****: Iron Ingot x8.

Magnum Rounds, 20: Copper Ingot x4.

The pistol blueprint was a real bargain—buy one, get one free.

Though often called the most ostentatious and impractical handgun, there was no denying its power.

If he could make it, Fang Tang would be able to fire away every day—what joy!

He hurriedly took down the incomplete trades, deciding the pistol took top priority.

He switched to iron and copper ingots.

After setting a reasonable price, he put them up for trade.

With such fruitful gains, Fang Tang was in high spirits. He hefted his cross pickaxe and set out to gather more supplies.

He was more determined than ever to grow stronger.

To the left, the cave only has timber. To the right, there’s a stray dog, but straight ahead, you’ll find a bronze chest with ample resources.

The Eye’s prompt gave him pause.

“Finally a higher-tier chest?”

Swinging his pickaxe, he carved out an opening and strode inside.

In a corner stood a chest, a combination of copper and wood.

Upon opening it, he found two bags of milk, a pack of sausages, and three silver ingots.

“Ah, finally some milk.”

Fang Tang licked his lips, stowed away his spoils, then took out his dismantling hammer and struck the chest twice.

Bang!

The oversized chest transformed into three copper ingots—it was almost magical.

Fang Tang, however, had seen enough not to be surprised.

Ahead, the cave holds some food. The right has more, but there’s a scorpion resting inside. The left is empty.

“What kind of scorpion?”

What kind of scorpion could a cave hold? A sand scorpion, of course. It’s quite big, with a long tail. Best to make the gun first and aim right for its head. The Eye loves fireworks!

“I thought you liked wavy hair?”

Fang Tang smirked and pressed forward.

He still lacked one iron ingot for the pistol.

He’d explore the next cave first; the trade should be completed by then.

Cave 14 only held two bottles of water and a sausage.

Seeing the familiar King of Sausages, Fang Tang hesitated, then tore open the package and stuffed it into his mouth.

He already had a pack; one extra piece didn’t matter.

Might as well savor the taste.

Ahead, there’s a terrifying brute in the cave. You’d best avoid it—even with a pistol, you’re no match. The mechanical claw arm is worth considering. Left or right, both are good. The right is empty, but leads to the scorpion cave; the left has a wooden chest with meat… though it’s raw.

“Meat!”

Fang Tang licked his lips.

He couldn’t live without meat; just hearing the word made his stomach growl.

But with a pistol still incomplete, he’d have to check the left cave first.

Entering Cave 15, Fang Tang took a slab of pork belly from the wooden chest—about two pounds.

“Does newspaper keep food fresh?”

That’s like asking if a melon is ripe! What harm could the newspaper do? Of course it wants players to have fresh food.

“Oh really?”

With a raised eyebrow, Fang Tang wrapped the pork belly in the newspaper.

Once he had a stove, he’d have a hearty meal of meat.

Oh, and with some salt, chili, pepper, and cumin, it’d be perfect.

Such were Fang Tang’s thoughts.

Just as he was about to close the newspaper, he saw that all his trades were completed. He grinned.

Time to fire… the gun?

The exciting kind.

Fang Tang couldn’t wait to craft the ****.

The circular progress bar popped up—faster than dismantling, about five minutes.

He decided to use the time to take a short break.